The ILHIA Award for Excellence was presented to a team of investigators from ISP Zone 1 for their level of dedication and diligence during a homicide investigation and the work done to close the case. The Zone 1 team members - Larry Kot, Criminal Intelligence Supervisor, Special Agent Brion Hanley, and Special Agent Todd Damasky, each received prestigious awards for their work and dedication in solving the 55 year old cold case murder of Maria Ridulph, who was murdered in 1957 in Sycamore, Illinois.

Special Agent Hanley accepted the award for his work as the lead investigator on the cold case.

The ILHIA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to ISP Zone 1 Master Sergeant Thomas Wetherald for dedicating more than 20 years of his law enforcement career to investigating over 400 homicides and violent crime cases. His knowledge and expertise have assisted numerous Task Force investigations with a clearance rate of 82 percent.

“These officers have demonstrated their finest ability as investigators in seeking justice for communities and families, and we are proud of their achievements and recognition by their peers of law enforcement’s finest – homicide investigators,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau.

The Illinois Homicide Investigators Association recognizes outstanding investigators and presents awards for achievement every year during their annual training conference.